Admission Information

Program Info: The Respiratory Therapist (RPT) program is a 5 semester course of study consisting of 76 semester hours of general education and respiratory therapist classes leading to an Associate in Applied Science Degree. The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) and is recognized by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC). Comparable data related to student/graduate outcomes for all this and all programs accredited by CoARC can be found at http://www.coarc.com/47.html. Graduates of the Respiratory Therapist program are eligible to attempt both the Entry-Level Examination for Respiratory Care Practitioners and the Advanced Practitioner Examination System as administered by the NBRC, which together earn successful completers recognition as Registered Respiratory Therapists.

Admission Dates: A new class will be admitted fall semester of each year. Completed application packets are to be submitted no later than the published deadline prior to each fall semester.

Application Packets: Application packets are available for download from this site beginning March 1 each year. Applicants who are new or readmitted WCC students must have completed all requirements for admission to the College prior to submitting an application packet for consideration.

Number of Students to be Accepted: Space in the program may be limited by availability of clinical sites, as well as classroom space and number of faculty. Class size is set annually by the program with input from College officials and the RPT Advisory Committee.

Entrance Requirements: In order to be unconditionally accepted into the Program, students must be eligible to enter or have already completed ENG101. Students enrolled in courses prerequisite to the above may receive a conditional admission pending summer term completion. Failure to complete the prerequisite courses will result in withdrawal of the admission eligibility. In addition, applicants must also be eligible to progress to or have already taken MTH100 and BIO201 during the second semester of the program. Program applicants will be required to submit scores from the ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills Version V exam (TEAS®-V) in their admission application packet. A summary of the scoring system, as well as a copy of the curriculum is included on this site. Applicants must meet both College and RPT program requirements for admission.

Admission shall be provisional upon the student’s ability to perform essential functions, have negative substance abuse screening results, and receive clinical attendance approval of findings from a required criminal background check. Random substance abuse screening will be conducted throughout program enrollment. Following admission to the Program, all students must submit a completed physical examination form, including immunization status documentation and verification of the ability to perform essential functions related to this program.

* Please note that personal transportation will be required between clinical rotations and campus. Students are expected to have reliable personal transportation available.

FOR CLARIFICATION OR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT THE RPT OFFICE, Ms. Judith Harrell, AT 334-556-2291 OR THE ALLIED HEALTH SECRETARY, Ms. Tomi Sherlock, AT 334-556-2388.